Safety matches



Dec. 13, 1960 J. HERMAN 2,964,168

SAFETY MATCHES Filed Aug. 12, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR. JOSEPH H ERMAN 117 77919 VEY J. HERMAN SAFETY MATCHES Dec. '13, 1960 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Aug. 12, 1959 INVENTOR. JOSEPH H ERMAN AYTJP/VEY United States Patent SAFETY MATCHES Joseph Herman, 576 Avenue Y, Brooklyn, NY.

Filed Aug. 12, 1959, Ser. No. 833,178

1 Claim. (Cl. 206-34) This invention concerns an improvement in match packets or folders and is particularly directed at a structure wherein the match is ignited during withdrawal from the packet or folder.

It is a principal object to provide a means for retaining matches in a folder in such a way that the phosphor bearing head portions of the matches are positively retained out of the way of the substance against which the match head must be contacted and scratched in order to be ignited, until the match is being withdrawn for ignition and use.

It is a further object to provide a match book folder with striking surfaces inside the front cover and on a front panel, the surfaces being disposed in the path of widthdrawal movement of the matches for coaction with opposite sides of a head of a match in striking and igniting the same.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a match book folder embodying the invention, the folder being shown in an open position, parts being broken away, a match being shown partly withdrawn preparatory to striking and igniting the match.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the open folder of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the folder in a partially closed position, with a match partly withdrawn.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the folder in partly closed position with a match in striking position.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 4 of the folder in fully closed position.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a match severed from the sheet but before ignition.

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the match of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is another front elevational view on an enlarged scale of a match prior to being torn out of a sheet of matches.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a match book folder embodying a modified form of the invention, several matches being omitted to show the interior structure.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the plane of the line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of line 11-11 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 12l2 of Fig. 9, a match being shown partly withdrawn preparatory to striking and igniting.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on the plane o f the line 1313 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 10 of a match book folder embodying a still further embodiment of the invention.

2,964,168 Patented Dec. 13, 1960 Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 13 of a match book folder embodying yet another embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing there is shown a match folder 10 formed of a rectangular piece of pasteboard, cardboard or heavy paper. One end of the folder is turned back forming a front panel 12 which is coated with a layer 14 of a suitable, abrasive substance for igniting matches thereon. Panel 12 is integral with a rear panel 16 which covers the rear of an. assembly of matches 18. Panel 16 is connected by folds 21, 23 in a narrow panel 20 with a front cover panel 22. The inner surface of the free end of panel 22 is coated with a layer 24 of an abrasive substance like that on panel 12. The matches 18 are formed in groups from a sheet of heavy paper or cardboard and are joined to a common base 26. Two sheets of matches are provided. The sheets are slit longitudinally at spaced intervals down to base 26 to form the matches. Each match 18 is formed as an elongated rectangular strip having ignitable substance 28 applied to opposite surfaces thereof and spaced a short distance away from the common web or base end 26 of the sheet of matches. The strip is weakened by indentations 30 on its side edges, defining a short neck 31 connecting the body of the match with a stub end 32 of the match strip. The stubs 32 are all extended from and are integral with the base 26 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 8.

A second sheet of matches 18' may be provided behind the outer or front layer of matches 18. It is preferred that the second sheet have its ignitable portions 28 spaced a short distance above the ignitable portions 28 on the front layer 18. Weakened necks 31 are provided on the rear matches adjacent to the ignitable head portions 28'. If desired, for economy in manufacture, all of the layers of matches may have the same construction with the ignitable head portions spaced the same distances from the 'lower ends of the common bases 26. A staple 34 is inserted through panels 12 and 16 and bases 26 tov secure the layers of matches in the folder.

Figs. 1 and 2 show one match 18 in the front layer of matches 18 bent down over panel 12. The neck 31 of the match is being strained on its stub end 32 which is forced forward. Fig. 3 shows another match 18 in a similar depending position with the front cover panel 22 partially closed over the matches. Fig. 4 shows the front cover closed down over the bent, depending match 18 so that the striking layers 14 and 24 are disposed on opposite sides of the ignitable substance on the match head 28 disposed therebetween. If the user now presses the cover 22 firmly against panel 12 with his thumb and pulls down sharply on the match 18*, both sides of the match will be scratched and ignited on layers 14 and 24. The match body will at the same time be broken loose by manual pressure from the stub 32 at neck 31, as shown in Fig. 4. This will provide a rough, fibrous tip 33 best shown in Figs. 6 and 7 which assists the ignited substance 28 or 28' in igniting the paper body of the match.

Fig. 5 shows how the front panel 22 is secured over the matches to protect them, by insertion of its free end hehind panel 12. The layer 24 will extend below the ignitable head portions 28 of the front matches when the folder is thus closed. Thus, the match heads will be out of contact with the layer 24 when the folder is fully and completely closed.

Fig. 8 shows on an enlarged scale a portion of sheet of matches 18 removed from the folder. All of the matches except theone match 18" have been torn away leaving the stubs 32 and parts of necks 31. Match 18" is held erect by its neck 31 awaiting manual separation from its stub end 32. Separation is manually done as shown in Figs. 1-4, by bending down the match body and tearing it awayagainst the-resistance offered bythe stub end 32. When the matches are assembled in the folder, the panel 12 supports the forwardly bending stub of the match and assists in resisting the downward pull of the match as it is ignited between layers 14 and 24 and broken off from the tub.

The present invention thus makes it possible to ignite a. match while removing it from a folder. This permits the match to be ignited even in a windy or drafty place because the match head is protected at the time of ignitron and comes out ignited from the folder in an ignited condition with the manually severed fibrous tip 33 of the neck immediately catching fire and strengthening the flame of the match.

The ignitable portions 28 and 28' of the several sheets of matches form the heads of the matches. Prior to withdrawal of the matches from the folders the heads are secured near the base ends of the sheets of matches. This is an entirely different structure from that heretofore known, wherein the match heads in the folder were always at the tips or free ends. The prior matches had to be completely withdrawn from the folders and the folder closed before the matches were struck. If the folders were not closed, there was a danger of igniting the other matches in the folder. This is not possible in the present mvention. Igniting of the withdrawn match takes place as the head leaves the juxtaposed panels 12 and 22 with the panel 22 closed over the other match heads so that they cannot be ignited. The user cannot forget to close the folder before striking, because the closing of the cover is essential to proper striking and ignition of tne match.

Referring to Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive, a modified form of match holder is shown wherein a pair of spaced corrugated sheets 40 and 42 are secured along their edges between a sheet 44 constituting the front of the folder and a sheet 46 constituting the rear of the folder by staples 48. Three layers of matches are supported and protected between the front and rear sheets.

A layer of matches 50 is disposed between the corrugated sheets 40 and 42, the matches being separately spaced from each other and separately housed in the spaces formed by the corrugations 52 of the sheets. A second layer of matches 54 is disposed between the sheet 40 and the front sheet 44 of the folder, the matches 54 being spaced from each other and housed in the spaces provided between the sheets 40 and 42 by the corrugations 52 of sheet 40. A third layer of matches 56 is disposed between the sheet 42 and rear sheet 46 of the folder, the matches 56 being spaced from each other and housed in the spaces provided between the sheets 42 and 46 by the corrugations 52 of sheet 42. The matches are formed as elongated rectangular paper strips 58 having ignitable substance 60 applied to opposite surfaces thereof at one end of the strip, the top end as viewed in Fig. 3. The other end of the strip, the bottom end, projects below the bottom ends of the sheets convenient for grasping by the fingers of the user. For the purpose of igniting the matches, the rear sheet 46 on its inner surface at its bottom end is coated with a strip or layer 62 of a suitable adhesive substance for igniting matches thereon. The opposed surface of the adjacent corrugated sheet 42 is similarly coated with a similar layer or strip 64, the layers 62 and 64 being in alignment at the bottom of the folder. The front sheet on its inner surface at its bottom end is coated with a strip or layer 66 of a suitable adhesive substance for igniting matches thereon. The opposed surface of the adjacent corrugated sheet 40 is similarly coated with a similar layer or strip 68, the layers 66 and 68 being in alignment at the bottom of the folder.

The corrugated sheets 40 and 42 are provided with strips or layers 70 and 72, respectively, of a suitable adhesive substance for igniting matches, at their bottom ends, said strips being horizontally aligned with each other and with the strips on the front and rear sheets.

In using this form of match folder 10', amatch is grasped by its protruding end and pulled outwardly. The layers 62 and .64 of igniting substance on the rear sheet 46 and adjacent corrugated sheet 42 are disposed in the path of withdrawal movement of the matches in the layer 56 so that as the match 56 is pulled thereacross the head 60 is ignited. Similarly, the layers 66 and 70 on the front sheet 44 and adjacent corrugated sheet 40 are disposed in the path of withdrawal movement of the head 60 of the matches in the layer 54 so that as the match head 60 thereof is pulled thereacross it ignites. The layers 68 and 72 on the corrugated sheets 42 and 40, respectively, are disposed in the path of movement of the heads 60 of the matches in the layer 50 so that as the heads are pulled thereacross they become ignited.

The modified form of match holder 10" shown in Fig. 14 differs from the form of holder 10 of Fig. 9 in that five layers of matches are provided instead of three layers. This is accomplished by inserting four spaced corrugated sheets 90, 92, 94 and 96 between the front and rear sheets 44 and 46 and securing all of the sheets by the staples 48 at their long edges. The spacing of the sheets provides space for a layer 98 of matches between the front sheet 40 and adjacent corrugated sheet 90, a layer 100 between sheet 90 and adjacent corrugated sheet 92, a layer 102 between sheet 92 and adjacent corrugated sheet 94, a layer 104 between sheet 94 and adjacent corrugated sheet 96, and a layer 106 between sheet 96 and rear sheet 46. The front and rear sheets 44 and 46 are coated on their inner surfaces adjacent the bottom ends thereof with strips 66 and 64, respectively, of suitable adhesive subtance for igniting matches, similar to the sheets 44 and 46 of the form of Fig. l. The corrugated sheets are provided with similar strips 108 on both surfaces thereof at their bottom ends aligned with the strips 66 and 64. The ends of the matches protrude from the bottom of the folder and upon being pulled out scratch against the strips of adhesive substance and become ignited.

Referring now to the form of match holder 10 shown in Fig. 15, this form of holder differs from the form of F.gs. 913 only in the construction of the matches and in the addition of strips 110 of adhesive substance for igniting matches along the top edges of the inner surfaces of the front and rear sheet and both surfaces of the intermediate corrugated sheets. Each match con struction comprises an elongated rectangular-shaped strip 112 of paper cut away midway its ends to form a narrow restricted weakened neck portion 114. The strip is sutficiently long to protrude beyond the top and bottom of the folder so as to be readily grasped by the fingers of the user. The strip on both surfaces thereof, at both ends of the neck portion 114, has applied thereto ignitable substance 116. Each strip thereby provides two matches.

In all other respects, the form of match holder 10 is similar to the form of match holder 10' and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

In using the match holder 10 either protruding end of tie strip is pulled longitudinally outwardly of the folder, the oppos te end at the same time being preferably pinched between the fingers to prevent displacement thereof. The pulling action will sever the strip at the neck portion 112, permitting the match to the pulled across the adhesive strip which is disposed in the path of w.thdrawal movement of' the match, for igniting the match.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modfications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent A match folder structure, comprising arectangular sheet, said sheet being folded to define a free rectangular cover panel, a rear panel and a front panel, said front panel being coated on one side with a match striking substance, said cover panel having an end portion further coated with a match striking substance, and a plurality of groups of matches, said cover panel being foldable over the matches to conceal and protect the same, each of said groups of matches comprising a plurality of elongated paper strips joined together by a common web secured to said front cover panel, each of said matches having a head located close to said web and spaced from the front panel, with a free end of the match extending away from the web and located between the rear and cover panels when the cover panel is closed, each of said matches having an indented portion defining a weak neck near the head thereof and a stub at said web, said cover being disposable outside the front 6 panel and in juxtaposition therewith, each match being disposable partially outside the folder by bending at said neck to dispose the head thereof between the front panel and cover, whereby the match will separate at its neck when the free end thereof is pulled to form a fibrous tip at the head while the head will be ignited by abrasion on the coated portions of said front panel and cover panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,754,036 Novinsky et al Apr. 8, 1930 1,912,957 Whitlock June 6, 1933 2,771,183 Carter Nov. 20, 1956 2,825,448 Myers Mar. 4, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 654,134 France Nov. 20, 1928 

